Last weekend we visited Munich and I couldn’t help but notice all the ways that a big German city is different from an American one. We’ve been living in Germany for three months now and these are my tips for adapting to the cultural differences during your visit here.
1) Expect to be pushed around – especially if you are in a bigger city.
The average German will attempt to cut in front of you, push past you, or otherwise invade your personal space so that they can get somewhere. Mr. Meena and I experienced this quite often when we were trying to use the subway in Munich. It doesn’t matter if you are trying to get on or off the train – you can just assume you’ll get shoved at some point. We don’t see this much in the smaller cities, but it tends to happen anytime that a crowd or line forms.
2) Be prepared to push back.
Germans don’t move out of your way unless you ask them to. They might not move even if you ask. It’s a normal attitude for people here – so try not to lose your temper (guilty). There isn’t much space in Europe and many people feel the need to defend whatever space they have. Most Germans aren’t trying to be mean in this regard. After a day or two of rough physical contact on the subway I started to get angry at everybody and I had to remind myself that the behavior is just part of their way of life.
3) Get comfortable with local transit systems before you need to use them.
I thought the bus route in Schweinfurt was intimidating but it is nothing compared to the subway system in Munich. Even figuring out how to take the train can be difficult if you aren’t used to public transportation. You don’t want to be stranded and confused at the end of a long travel day when you just need to get back to your hotel. Mr. Meena studied the subway system and planned out our route before we arrived and we still had a few mishaps.
Also, be sure that you know the German name of the city that you’re heading to. Most are obvious, like München (Munich) or Nürnberg (Nuremberg), but it never hurts to reduce potential confusion.
4) Plan for terrible WiFi.
I’ve stayed in five different German hotels in the last four months and not a single one had adequate WiFi, especially in the evenings and on weekends. The internet speed at our hotel in Munich was so slow that it would have been better to pretend that we didn’t even have internet than try to use it. It makes me want to pull out my hair sometimes. If you are visiting from another country you’ll probably tend to be pretty dependent on WiFi – so I recommend that you arrive with a selection of movies, books, or maps already downloaded (or just spend all day in the city and come back exhausted). If you treat WiFi as a bonus feature it will be more realistic and save you a potential headache.
5) Prepare for free body culture.
Even if you never go near the naked beaches, you’re not going to able to avoid the Freikörperkultur (free body culture or FKK) in Germany. I’ve seen photos of naked women in advertisements at the mall and in the street windows of photography studios. In the summer you’ll find naked Germans in swimming pools or public parks. If you end up having to go to a doctor while you’re here they will probably expect you to undress in front of them. It’s not about sexuality or shock value, just a relaxing and joyful approach to the natural body.
In fact, Switzerland had to pass a law just a few years ago to stop German FKK enthusiasts from hiking in their birthday suits.
6) Bring your inside voice.
I would wager that the number one thing Americans do to annoy Germans is be loud. Mr. Meena and I have been fortunate in adapting to this because we’re usually quiet when we are in public. In fact, we’ve adapted so well that now other Americans in Germany annoy us when they are loud. Don’t be a stereotype; observe your surroundings and try to match the noise level present.
7) Get your ‘I’m ready to go’ wave down pat.
It’s common for Germans to sit in a restaurant for two hours when they are having a meal. They tend to linger even if they are only having coffee or a snack. You probably won’t see your waiter or waitress very often once you have your food. Pleasing customers isn’t as important to the German service industry as it is to America; especially since those serving you don’t need tips as much. So if you are a typical American that wants to leave after half an hour (like me), you’ll need to get used to raising your hand and flagging down your waiter. If all else fails, just go up the counter and tell them you’re ready to pay.
8) Step carefully when you’re shopping.
I’ve often wandered into a cute little store and suddenly realized I am standing in a tiny aisle of expensive items wearing a bulky jacket and purse. Another problem that comes with the limited space here is crowded stores and teetering items. Add that to the German tendency to push people around and you’re heading for a disaster.
Most importantly, prepare yourself to have fun! Germany is a lovely place and these tips will only improve your experience when visiting.
Do you have any tips for visiting a German city?
Featured photo by Werner licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Aahhhh, this post makes me wanna go there now! As in now! Haha